Discover the Hidden Features of macOS That You Never Knew About
Did you know your simple-looking, user-friendly Mac computer is a treasure trove of digital wonders? Beyond the surface of macOS lies features that can change how you create, navigate, and organize your system. These hidden functionalities are often overlooked, but they can enhance your computing experience once unveiled.
So, let’s embark on a journey to unearth the hidden capabilities of your Mac computer.
Talk to Your Computer
Yes, you can talk to your computer and give commands. No, Siri is not the only feature you can talk to.
Mac computers come with an in-built Dictation feature that can be used to speak to the computer and ask it to change your words into text. The feature can be enabled from the System Settings > Keyboard. Go to the Dictation section and then toggle the feature on.
Then, you can start dictating as soon as you see the microphone icon on the screen. As you speak to your Mac, your computer converts the words into text in whichever application you use the Dictation feature. Please note that you must say words like period, comma, open quote, etc., to include those characters in the writing.
You can stop dictation by pressing any key on the keyboard.
Once macOS Sonoma is officially released, you can dictate and type simultaneously.
Retrieve Accidentally Deleted Photos
It is a gut-wrenching experience to realize you have accidentally deleted some of your favorite photos. Since pictures make memories, this can be a huge loss. But fear not because you can recover deleted photos on Mac.
One of the simplest methods of recovering deleted photos is using Finder. But this method works if you remember the file name. Open Finder > enter the search target. You can include the file name or other attributes, such as the date the file was created, etc.
If this doesn’t work, you can use Disk Drill. This is a data recovery software with a user-friendly, intuitive interface. Follow the instructions to find the deleted photos.
Please remember to always back up your Mac, especially the photo folder. This will ensure there’s always a backup, and you never have to worry about accidental deletion.
Reveal The Hidden Files
Some system files remain hidden, so you do not accidentally click on them and remove them. But if you need them, it is possible to reveal the hidden files in Finder by pressing Command + Shift + Period. The revealed hidden files will appear in a grayed-out state.
If you want to re-hide them, use the same command again.
Text Replacements
Speed up your typing by using the in-built macOS tool of text replacement. You can create custom text shortcuts for phrases and frequently-used text. For instance, you can create shortcuts for your home or office address, email address, etc. This will save you from typing the same thing over and over.
You can set this up by going to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and clicking the plus button to add shortcuts. The next time you type the shorts, your computer will expand it into the right phrase or sentence.
Take Screenshots
You can take screenshots on your Mac using the shortcut Shift + Command + 3. This will capture and save the entire screen to your desktop by default. You can share the screenshot via email or other options.
If you want more options, press Shift + Command + 5. This will bring up more options to take screenshots and show screen recording features.
Spotlight Search
Spotlight search is one of the most unassuming features of Mac. Knowing this tool inside and out will change how you navigate your computer.
Spotlight is a robust search tool that helps find anything, including apps, files, folders, etc. You can even use it to launch an application. Moreover, the tool can perform other functions, such as basic math calculations, converting units and currencies, etc.
You can use Spotlight by clicking the magnifying glass icon and then typing what you want. You can also press Command + Space to bring up the search bar and then ask the tool to find something.
Virtual Desktops (spaces)
Spaces are like virtual desktops, which help organize the open windows and apps into different workspaces. You can use this on your Mac to create different spaces for different tasks. This makes it easier to switch between them.
You can use Spaces by pressing the F3 key on your keyboard. This will bring up Mission Control, and then click the plus icon and add a new desktop. After this, you can drag and drop the app windows into the desktop thumbnails.
In conclusion, these concealed macOS features are now revealed to you. How many of these were you aware of? Is something amiss from the list? Share your thoughts and views in the comment below.
